Second Writing Assignment

Examining the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: A Review of Current Research Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Examining the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: A Review of Current Research Introduction Social media has become an undeniable force in people’s lives bearing its impacts on individuals and societies in different ways. Presently, individuals use social media tools to communicate, for entertainment, for information, and even for business transactions. As social media platforms increase their scope, they attract more people into the ecosystems. Eventually, such changes in dynamism come with impacts, either positive or negative. Mental health is one of the prospects that are believed to bear some of the impacts of social media usage. This short research project explores the link between social media and mental health, examining both potential benefits and drawbacks. The project delves into evidence highlighting potential positive impacts such as fostering connections and promoting self-expression. However, it also critically analyzes the negative effects of excessive use, including increased anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy. The paper further discusses contributing factors like platform type, usage patterns, and content exposure, acknowledging the complexity of this relationship. The findings of this study should help stakeholders in the healthcare industry to structure social media usage effectively by fostering eliminating its negative impacts on users’ mental health. Background Social media has become a key component of human lives today. The platforms are fundamentally changing how people interact, consume information, and present themselves. Bearing its superficial benefits, social media has attracted the interest of many people. Presently, at least 4.95 billion people or 61% of earth’s population uses various social media platforms (Shewale, 2024). By the end of 2024, it is predicted that the number of users will rise to 5.17 billion people. At least 85% of smartphone owners globally are interacting with an average of 6.6 social media platforms on a monthly basis. Also, users spend an average of 2 hours and 24 minutes daily on social media platforms (Shewale, 2024). Factors such as generational changes and the introduction of new attractive prospects in social media means that people are likely to spend more time on such platforms on a daily basis. From a mental health perspective, an extended reliance on entertainment or information through social media could amount to addiction, which is part of the challenges that could stem from such tools. Conversely, studies have also shown that social media tools could trigger positive impacts on users’ mental health status if employed appropriately. The indecisiveness surrounding this topic means that it demands more research. Benefits of Social Media Usage to Mental Health Emphasis has been put on understanding some of the benefits of social media usage to mental health. Jafar et al. (2023) conducted a study to explore the benefits of social media usage. In the findings Jafar et al. (2023) noted that social media usage is beneficial as it fosters social connections and combating loneliness. From their findings, Jafar et al. (2023) noted that social media platforms can help people stay connected with friends and family, especially those who live far away or are difficult to see in person. This can be a great way to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are significant risk factors for mental health problems. The other researched benefit of social media usage is that it helps to build communities and motivate people to find support. Mosharrafa et al. (2024) noted that one of the key prospects of social media is to connect people who share interests. As such, social media can connect people with others who share similar interests or experiences. This can be especially helpful for individuals who may feel isolated or alone in their everyday lives (Mosharrafa et al., 2024). Online communities can provide a safe space for people to share their experiences, find support, and ...